Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Gary Gold will be replaced by Dean Richards next season.

Former Springbok assistant coach Gold took over at the English club on a short-term deal in January. It was always known that the 44-year-old didn’t plan on extending his stay, which has seen the Falcons name Richards as his successor for the 2012-13 campaign on Wednesday. It’s been reported that Gold has opportunities to coach in South Africa once the European season finishes.

The Falcons are currently struggling at the foot of the English Premiership table with 19 log points. The London Wasps are above them with 27 log points. Under Gold’s reign, Newcastle have won one and drawn one from five fixtures in 2012. They only have five rounds remaining to avoid the relegation zone.